by Sean Oswald
Duration: varies
Cool-down: 1 hour for every minute the spell was kept active
Mana: Phase 1- 50, Phase 2- 25, Phase 3- 20 mana/minute
Well that was different. The spell belonged to two different schools. That wouldn’t be a problem since Dave was maxed out in both schools for his current Tier. Then the mana cost was interesting too. With his current maximums of 610 mana and 3.5 mana/minute regen, he could only maintain this spell for thirty minutes. He supposed if he took a strong enough mana regen potion that he could greatly increase that duration, even making it indefinite if he had enough potions. Right now, he was only at a little over half mana, so he wouldn’t have that much time. He mused though that fifteen minutes should be plenty. Then again, by the time he learned the spell, his mana would be full anyway. So he sat down and started working on learning the spell. The first step in learning a spell was to sink his 8 stat points into Intelligence. It would help with his chances to learn, and he figured increasing the damage of his spells was only a good thing. He didn’t admit it to himself, but if pressed, Dave would have had to admit that nearly catching up to Mira in raw Intelligence also put a smirk on his face.
Four hours later, he finally stood up. The first sun was now high in the sky and all around elves were busy cleaning up the mess of destruction left by their attacks. Neither Fumihiro nor Raddick were anywhere to be seen, but he supposed it made sense for them to go in to sleep. He did notice that there was a young elf in robes sitting near him, apparently keeping watch. Dave offered a smile which the elf tried to nervously return. Dave then looked at the single notification which had appeared as soon as his eyes had opened.
Congratulations, you have learned the spell: Perceptive Sending. Base chance of learning spell: 50% + 39% (bonus for Intelligence), -20% (highest tier of spell usable by reader), +10% (learning from scroll) = 79% success chance.
He was tempted to use it immediately. That little voice in his head which had become so loud of late urged him on saying: You are the nobleman here, you don’t have to wait for anyone. For now, Dave ignored the voice, but it presented a tempting way of viewing the world. He looked at the elf who we had been watching over him again and said, “Can you take me to my friends? It is time for us to make contact with the archdruid.”
The young man had a way of acting nervous which transcended racial and cultural boundaries. Dave had seen it all too often when one of his kids wanted to ask him something and wasn’t sure about how he would respond. The growing sense of impatience in him made him want to yell at the elf to spit it out, but he knew these were Emily’s people now. He had seen that whatever happened to her when she was presented to the Throne had changed her, and he didn’t want to offend a potential ally or alienate these people from his wife.
“Do you have something to ask me?” Dave asked, trying his best to keep the impatience from his voice and only partially succeeding.
“I don’t mean to bother you Consort.” The elf’s voice was low as his eyes looked at the ground. Apparently Dave was stuck with that title.
“You are not bothering me. Thank you for looking over me while I was studying. Is there something more that I can do for you?” Dave was surprised at how genuine the words felt coming out of his mouth. Somehow acting kindly pushed back the sense of impatience and darkness which he felt.
“It is just that I … uh … would like to give you something,” the young man said practically stuttering.
Images of decorated pinecones or other nature crafts filled Dave’s mind involuntarily, even though he knew that was sorta stupid. “It isn’t necessary for you to give me anything. I did what I did because it was the right thing to do.”
“Pardon me please, Consort, but that is exactly why I wish to give this to you,” he said while fumbling in a backpack that he had strapped behind him.
Dave’s further protests died upon his lips as the elf pulled out an ancient looking book. The binding was obviously fine with gold and silver worked into it, but still, it was frayed and worn. As he struggled to bring it out, it was clear that it was huge, at least a foot thick and two feet high with a width of a good eighteen inches. Dave’s interest in knowledge was great enough to value such an old book, but what really took his breath away was that this book looked like the spell book they had found in the dungeon, only much larger.
“Um … what is that?” Dave asked, almost afraid to hope that it was what he thought it was.
“This is a spell book passed down in my family from ancient times. It has been with my family the entire time we have been upon Talos, and yet, none of us has been able to use it. It requires that the one to read it be at a minimum of Tier 3 magic, and none of us has ever been able to pass beyond Tier 2 in a thousand years. Yet you saved me today, and but for your heroics, neither I nor my son would have lived on. I wish I had something of value to give you, but this is all that I can think of.” Dave watched how the man’s hand ran lovingly over the book’s cover.
As much as it pained Dave, he said, “I can’t take something which is so clearly precious to you.”
“But you must. I know, Consort, that you are not of the Circle, but you are married to an elven noble, so you must have some idea of our ways. I will give this to you with but one expectation. Namely, should any of my descendants display the potential to move into Tier 3, you would take them on as an apprentice for you are clearly a spell caster of tremendous might and a master swordsman.” The young elf’s tone was so solemn that Dave didn’t know what to do.
“You are certain? I release you from any sense of obligation. But if you still wish to pass it on, then I will accept so long as you tell me your family name,” Dave said, a mixture of guilt and excitement competing within him.
“I do so wish, and my name is Eiji Nakamora, Consort,” he replied solemnly.
“Know this–in taking this gift from you, I also open up the Murkwood to you. You and your family shall have safe passage and are welcome in Eris’ Rise and all the lands that are controlled by myself and Lady Emiri.” Dave replied, not exactly sure why but it seemed like the thing to say.
“You are kind, Consort. I will pass your words to my family,” he said with a deep bow before handing the heavy tome over to Dave.
Dave was surprised at how heavy it was. He had expected it to weigh something like fifteen or even twenty pounds, but it must have weighed closer to forty or fifty pounds. It was nothing for his enhanced Strength but still not something to be lightly carried around, especially by the slender elf.
“Can you give me a moment to look at this and ask my companions to come here?
“Certainly consort.” Then without another word, the young elf was off.
Dave looked at the book. He could feel a current, almost like electricity, coursing through it, and he was anxious to open it. He figured it would be a great treasure it was even half as good as the last spell book that they found. Looking at the book, Dave decided to cast Identify on it and gasped when he saw the results:
Spell Book: Path from Apprentice to Adept Quality: Epic
Weight: 44.0
Author: Lord Turgur, Elder Shaman of the People of the Moon
* * *
A treatise providing the tools to elevate a caster from apprentice to adept. This book covers the spells specific to the practice of shamans within the Moon Elf people.
* * *
Tier 2: Feline Feet, Fleeting Fury, Night Eyes, Spirit Sight, Tainted Breath, Invisibility, Lesser Heal, Endure Elements, Gauge Caster
* * *
Tier 3: Spirit Pouch, Frost Rift, Charm of the Snake, Aura of Sleepwalking, Diminutive Shrink, Elemental Malaise, Spirit of the Ox, Imbue Gem, Totem of Defense, Alacrity, Venom of the Snake, Immobilize, Life Salve, Abolish Disease, Guardian Shadow Wolf, Quell Energy
* * *
Tier 4: Cannibalize, Nullify Magic, Totem of Spirit, Totem of Stillness, Improved Heal, Frost Storm, Dimension Flutter, Touch of Slime, Arcane Eye, Confusion, Inertial Burst, Ite
m Charm, Bone Shatter, Monster’s Physique
* * *
Tier 5: Winter’s Roar, Regrowth, Turgur’s Insects, Greater Heal, Greater Guardian Shadow Wolf, Chloroblast, Unenchant, Sustaining Bubble, Wreath of Blades, Positional Reversal, Telepathic Bond, Wall of Absolute Force, Totem of Fatigue, Elemental Form, Totem of Alacrity
It was more than he could take in. Fifty-three spells and all but the Essence Magic ones were of schools he could use. Not only were these good spells for now, but they would be spells for long into the future. Of course the question was if he would be able to level up high enough to ever be able to use these spells. That was a concern for another day. He still refused to believe he could ever be stopped. Today he felt alive. He had felt what it meant to be powerful. He would become a legend amongst these people, and that would make his family safe for all time.
Dave knew he didn’t have time now to start learning any of the spells contained within, but his hand twitched thinking about it. While there might not be time to study the spells, he at least opened the book. On the first page there were no spells, but there was a long inscription written in flowing script. It was Moon Elf, or at least a version of it. He equated it to trying to read Old English, although maybe not quite so difficult.
To my precious grandson Me’onji. It pains me greatly that you are to be taken from me in this way. More so it cuts me to the quick that I am not allowed to go with you. I would gladly forsake all that I have here simply for the chance to go to the new world with you. They are calling this the purge, but it is nothing more than an exile of the innocent.
Know that I fought against this with all my might and raised my voice in every council meeting. The forces that the Archmage had gathered were simply too great. Eventually all of the praetors voted for his plan. It is the greatest shame of my life that I could not end this plan and yet violence was not the answer. Life is conflict and too many like the Archmage believe that means only fighting. The truth is that the greatest conflicts are within a man. I pray to all the Gods that you will learn this lesson in the foreign land which will be your home.
Despite my inability to follow you know that my heart goes with you and I hope some small measure of my strength.
“This is a treasure. I cannot accept it. It pains me to say so, but you don’t understand the value that you have here,” Dave spoke reluctantly, but still knew it was the right thing to do.
“I very much understand the value of this spell book. It is my birthright just as it was for my father and grandfather before him. Yet it is a birthright which holds no value for me as I can’t use it,” Eiji said with passion.
“Still, how can I accept this from you?” Dave asked.
“Yes, it is of value, but more value than my life? Than that of my wife, or daughter?” As if on cue as Eiji spoke, an elven child younger than Sara came running up to Eiji and grabbed a hold of his leg saying, ‘Touchan.’”
“Very well, but you must let me pay you something for it,” Dave said grinning at the little girl. He had always been fond of children.
“That was not our deal. It was only that if Meo turns out to have the skill for magic, that you will train her,” Eiji said.
“It appeared that the book had never been opened. Why is that?” Dave asked.
“As I said before, Consort. The book could only be opened by one sufficiently strong in magic. I think my ancestor Turgur meant it as a way of safeguarding the book and expected that eventually one of his descendants would have the same magical strength as he did. Yet that has not come to pass in more than a thousand years.” There was sorrow in Eiji’s voice as he answered.
“Would you at least like me to read the inscription within? It was written to someone named Me’onji?” Dave asked with a warm smile.
“That would be my first ancestor, the one sent into exile.” Then pausing in thought a moment, he said with less anger and more desire, “Yes, I would like that very much.”
After Dave had read the inscription to him, Eiji became overwhelmed with emotion and looked away for a moment as he held his daughter close to him. Finally, after an awkward silence, he said, “Thank you. It means more than you can know for me to learn that my ancestor had no part in the exile.” Dave simply smiled back, not wanting to further intrude on the man’s thoughts.
A short time later, Dave was surrounded by a group of elves and Raddick. The ranger looked like he still desperately needed sleep. The leader of the town, whose title Fumihiro had told him was Jito, something akin to mayor, didn’t appear to have slept at all. Likely he was the one responsible for the village and wouldn’t be able to sleep for some time.
Once everyone necessary was present, Dave began casting the spell without any further ado. It felt different than his other casting as he could see that the spell form was more complex. More on the order of the summoning spell which was mostly Conjuration magic but had a faint element of Divination Magic. Here the sense of his mana being split into different channels was dramatically greater. He couldn’t see different types of mana like Mira could, but he still felt a difference. The casting seemed to go on forever but eventually concluded, and he felt a powerful tug to the north and knew exactly where the Archdruid was. As soon as that assurance fell over him, he felt more of the stored mana in the spell form shoot off, something like how he felt when blasting an enemy but without the hostile intent.
The final part was the most disconcerting portion of the spell. His mind raced along the thread he had cast out, and in an instant, he was suddenly somewhere else. He couldn’t even feel his body and had to hope that he hadn’t just done something very stupid. Opening his eyes, he saw he was in a large room. It was unlike anything that he had seen but somehow seemed so appropriate to elves. The floor appeared to be made of one solid piece of smoothly polished wood with various colors and tones sparkling through it. The walls were a lattice of vines growing upward with assorted flowers budding within them. The entire effect was to create a room which almost looked like the inside of a giant floor bud, and Dave felt pretty sure it was intentional.
In the center of the room was a giant chair or throne with two elves sitting upon it. Standing next to them was an elderly elf, the only elf he had seen who looked older than Daichi. Turning the projection of his head around, he could see various groups of elves all assembled into the room. This looked like a war council more than anything else. The most surreal part of it was that this projected body gave him no sensations. Even when he turned his head, he didn’t feel anything. He speculated that the oddness of it came from the fact that normally you don’t notice those little sensations, but when they are gone, you notice their absence.
The old elf next to the throne made Daichi seem young. He had shoulder length gray hair and was wearing green and brown robes like all of the other druids he had met. The only difference being an ornate medallion of gold and rune inlaid vines twisted together. Details seemed to be much sharper in this form. The old elf then bowed slightly towards him as he said, “I have the honor of presenting Consort Nelson–Baron Murkwood and the Ambassador from Albia.”
Interlude 1
Western Chenhou Forest - Thelan, Goblin Warlord
Further to the west, Thelan the Basher, the warlord of all the goblin horde and self-proclaimed Goblin King, was busy giving orders and receiving scouting reports. His swarm of over twenty thousand goblins and assorted creatures was making good headway into the forest. They were instructed to kill and destroy as they went. He knew that the progress was slowed by the fun that his followers would want to have whenever they claimed an elven village. But as expedient as it might be, Thelan wouldn’t even try to stop them from partaking as long as they didn’t hunker down in any one village. Though a goblin, Thelan was wise enough to know that the creatures’ united fear of him was not enough to keep the army from attacking a village when they were far from him. No, it was better to appeal to their other primal instincts. Besides, it amused him to think of the suffering of the haught
y elves.
The reports were overwhelmingly positive. They were taking casualties. Anytime they ran into one of the accursed forest wardens, ten or more goblins fell. However, as of yet, there had been no organized resistance, and every village they had come upon had fallen. Even a few slaves had been sent back, but most had bites taken out of their flesh and other signs of great suffering which crippled them or broke their minds. He wasn’t sure if any of the slaves would survive the night, and he had to hope that when the fiery morning eye was fully in the sky that at least one would be left for him to sample.
All in all, they were inflicting far more damage upon the elves than they were taking, and Thelan laughed with each report that he received. That was until a bloodied trio of two goblin scouts and a wounded shaman appeared before him. As they spoke, the king’s anger grew. It seems that a pair of humans had joined up with a druid and saved a pathetic speck of an elven village. Apparently one of the humans was known to the goblins from the western front as one of the leaders and scouts, but the other human was a complete stranger. It was notable that the shaman described him as wielding both sword and magic in equal measure and specifically that he could grow to ogre size. It was not even one of the larger raids, and the shaman before him was not a favored one, even if he was fairly talented. His mission had been to push forward, but apparently, he and the band of ogres assigned to him had stopped at a village. It had been their undoing as these three had been very strong, especially the two humans.
